The end of the semester brings more than just finals—it marks the culmination of months of hard work, collaboration, and real-world impact for QUEST students across all cohorts.
Continue readingBeyond the Classroom: A Summer for Growth and Discovery
As the semester comes to a close, students are looking forward to their summer plans. While some are excited to travel or catch up with friends and family, many students are also using the break as an opportunity to take on jobs and internships. This week, I had the chance to learn about a variety of internships that QUESTees are getting involved with.
Continue readingCohort 41’s Journey from Innovation to Real-World Impact
As always, the end of a semester marks the time to celebrate the achievements of our graduating cohort. On May 7th, the QUEST community gathered at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center for Cohort 41’s QUEST Conference. To kick off the event, Phil Tulkoff, the retired CEO and President of Tulkoff Food Products–a Baltimore-based company and a long-time QUEST project champion–shared a few opening remarks. Reflecting on their 15 years of collaboration with QUEST, Tulkoff emphasized that QUEST students consistently bring “fresh eyes, new thinking, and a level of energy that pushes [his] team to think differently.” These words are especially true for this cohort–four of whom I had the privilege of speaking with about their project and their biggest takeaways from QUEST.
Continue readingFlipping Tassels & Chasing Dreams: Celebrating our Graduating QUESTees
As the spring sun sets on another academic year, we are excited to celebrate the accomplishments of our QUEST graduates. With the semester wrapping up, QUESTees from Cohorts 39 and 40 are putting the finishing touches on their final assignments and exams, ready to flip their tassels and embark on exciting new adventures beyond graduation. From unforgettable team memories and evolving leadership abilities to impressive professional journeys, these students have left a lasting impact on the QUEST community and beyond. This month, I had the chance to sit down with some of our well-accomplished seniors to learn about their favorite QUEST memories, their post-grad plans, and how the program has shaped their college experience and future careers.
I first had the opportunity to talk with Arav Patel (Cohort 39), a Computer Science major, who fondly reminisces about his first days in QUEST. Initially drawn to the program by a flyer and encouraged by his father’s colleagues at IBM, Patel recalls being excited to step outside his typical computer science setting and collaborate with students from diverse fields like engineering and business. When asked to describe his QUEST journey in three words, Patel chose “motivating, fun, and collaborative.” He shared how QUEST brought together intelligent, driven individuals who relied on each other’s strengths. “Overcoming team challenges and forming lasting friendships with my cohort were pivotal experiences in my personal and professional growth,” he reflected. One of his favorite memories from QUEST was the Silicon Valley trip, where he had the chance to explore the city and bond with friends, including fellow senior Akash Marakath (Cohort 40), while creating unforgettable memories together.
Looking ahead, Patel plans to venture into the world of entrepreneurship by continuing to build his startup playgoldai.com and seek venture capital funding. He plans on returning to Princeton, NJ, where he will focus on growing his startup from the comfort of his hometown, all while hopefully getting in a few travel trips to new places. With the freedom that comes post-graduation, he’s eager to balance the hustle of entrepreneurship with exploring the world and embracing the flexibility that comes with this next chapter.
I next had the opportunity to interview Akash Marakath (Cohort 40), a Mechanical Engineering major whose journey through QUEST has been nothing short of transformative. When asked to describe his QUEST journey in three words, Marakath chose “exhilarating, elevating, and enriching,” each word capturing the essence of his time in the program. For him, QUEST has been much more than just academic—it’s been a space for deep personal development and reflection.
For Marakath, the most important lesson QUEST imparted was “to take a deep dive into a problem before rushing into a solution.” This shift in mindset didn’t just affect his academic work—it extended into his personal life, too. “I used to be quick to react or make decisions impulsively, but now I’ve learned to pause, think carefully, and make more thoughtful choices,” he reflected. It’s a lesson he carries with him, tackling challenges with a newfound sense of clarity and confidence.
Marakath’s journey was also deeply shaped by his involvement in QUEST organizations, where he mentions finding a community despite not knowing anyone in the program beforehand. As part of the QUEST Social team, he helped organize the 2023 QUEST Formal, from designing the neon sign to crafting keychains for the first 50 attendees. His contributions earned him one of only eight Outstanding Service Awards from the QUEST Quality Guild (Faculty and Staff)—an honor given to students who go above and beyond for the program. “Creating memorable experiences for the community is something I’m truly proud of,” Marakath said, reflecting on the impact of his leadership. His efforts not only enriched the QUEST community but also sharpened skills he will carry into his career.
Looking ahead, Marakath is excited to take the next step in his journey. This summer, he’ll be interning at Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation as a Special Programs Intern, before heading back to UMD in the fall to pursue his Master’s in Aerospace Engineering, with a focus on rotorcraft. He’s eager to continue honing his engineering skills and dive deeper into the world of aerospace, all while finding time for some road trips and a visit to Italy next year.
Patel encourages future QUESTees to connect with staff early on. “At first, I saw them as just professors,” he said. “But once I got to know them, I realized they’re not just instructors—they’re mentors and friends who genuinely care about your growth.” He advises students to engage with staff like Jess, Emily, and Professor David Ashley, who provide not only academic support but also invaluable guidance and networking opportunities. “They’re people you can rely on, whether for advice on your business or just to catch up.” On the same note, Marakath believes getting involved in QUEST clubs is key to growth. “You’ll make friends and develop leadership skills you won’t get anywhere else,” he shares. Through his work with QUEST Social, he learned how to lead and collaborate, skills that have shaped his college experience. His advice: “Dive into these opportunities—they’ll help you grow in ways you never imagined.”
As we celebrate Patel, Marakath, and all of our graduating QUESTees, we look back with pride at the hard work, dedication, and growth they’ve shown throughout their time in the program. QUEST has been an incubator for brilliant minds, helping students not only excel academically but also develop critical skills that will propel them forward in their careers. We are incredibly proud of all our graduates and grateful to have had such dedicated individuals as part of our QUEST family. We look forward to the bright futures they will undoubtedly shape and are excited to see where their journeys lead them next.
If you see any familiar names below, be sure to congratulate them and keep an eye out for all the great things that will soon accomplish. Our 2025 graduates (with cohort):
- Carter Austin 37
- Tyler Braisted 39
- Jennifer Chiang 39
- Claire Dever 39
- Arti Dhareshwar 39
- Pranav Dulepet 39
- John Fitzsimmons 39
- Maia Gustafson 39
- Ananya Khanna 39
- Avinash Komarlingam 39
- Ege Korkmaz 39
- Emily Li 39
- Samuel Low 39
- Michael Mallamaci 39
- Abigail Manga 39
- Angela McGonigle 39
- Rajit Mukhopadhyay 39
- Jake Muller 39
- Annie Ni 39
- Arav Patel 39
- Vinamr Pemmaraju 39
- Manny Sachs-Kohen 39
- Neeharikha Satrasala 39
- Adelina Seck 39
- Imaad Syed 39
- Jamil Takieddine 39
- Elijah Thompson 39
- Ansh Viswanathan 39
- Matthew Weirich 39
- Tristan Won 39
- James Yates 39
- Akshita Alousyes 40
- Shira Amar 40
- Eric Chen 40
- Allison Chung 40
- Caelia Chung 40
- Jack Collier 40
- Supriya Daddi 40
- Nour Eloseily 40
- Brian Epstein 40
- Alexis Faucette 40
- Jacob Fishman 40
- Patricia Guillen 40
- Arihant Gupta 40
- Nikita Khapre 40
- Kim Lek 40
- Brooke Lesser 40
- Jennifer Li 40
- Akash Marakath 40
- Duncan Millar 40
- Rahul Nair 40
- Karen Nguyen 40
- Anika Peshwa 40
- Maya Pollack 40
- Ashmita Pyne 40
- Nandini Shah 40
- Noah Stern 40
- Stirling Supple 40
- Bhargav Tumkur 40
- Amman Vahora 40
- Pavan Varthakavi 40
- Shruthi Venkatachari 40
- Kiran Vepa 40
- Timothy Woerner 40
- Vincent Yu 40
- Michael Zhao 40
- Will Procheska 41
Lighting the Spark: Alumni from the Very First QUEST Cohort Look Back
From lighting hairdryers on fire to meeting the university president and working for the QUEST program itself, the alumni of Cohort 1 of the QUEST Honors Program have had some memorable experiences. I had the opportunity to speak with three alumni from the first cohort: Missy Grace, a Finance major who went on to co-found the consulting firm Alpine Rewards; Brian Marquardt, an Electrical Engineering major and now Senior Director of Product Management at Google; and Debbie Feinberg, an Accounting major and the founder of consulting firm Maximize.
Breaking Barriers with Business: QUEST Students Win Big at Global Sustainability Challenge
For a group of University of Maryland students, what began as an opportunity to learn and explore a new city transformed into a milestone achievement on the international stage. Representing the Robert H. Smith School of Business and the QUEST Honors Program, information systems and finance double majors Marvi Shroff (Cohort 42), Eileen Chen (Cohort 41), Meilin Yuan (Cohort 42), and Jiayi Wang (Cohort 41) recently clinched first place at the 2025 Milgard Invitational Case Competition on Social Responsibility (MICCSR), hosted in Seattle, WA. The event brought together 19 teams from five countries, all challenged to tackle a real-world challenge: determining which aerospace giant—Airbus, Boeing, or Embraer—deserved a major investment based on both financial performance and environmental responsibility.
Continue readingFresh Faces, Big Dreams: Meet Cohorts 45 and 46
Incoming! Cohorts 45 and 46 have officially arrived! After receiving over 415 applications, reviewing them all, and conducting over 150 interviews, 90 new impressive QUEST students have been selected. Earlier this month, the Quality Guild (QUEST Faculty and staff) released the names of the 90 students who will be joining our QUEST community. I had a chance to connect with three of these talented students to ask them about the application process and what they are looking forward to in the coming years.
Continue readingDiscovering Silicon Valley: A Spring Break QUEST for Innovation and Insight
What happens when a group of 24 curious, driven QUEST students are given the opportunity to trade classroom lectures for behind-the-scenes access to the world’s leading tech companies? You get a week of eye-opening conversations, elevator pitches, and unexpected career sparks– all set against the sunny backdrop of California.
Continue readingMaking a Global Medical Impact: Student Spotlight on Wilhelm Smith
This month, I had the pleasure of speaking with Wilhelm Smith, a junior bioengineering major (Cohort 42). Currently a researcher at the University of Maryland’s Global Medical Devices Lab, Smith is working on creating a portable low-cost laparoscopy device for use in low and middle-income countries.
Guided by Guidehouse: QUEST Alum Joel Liebman Welcomes QUESTees to HQ
For those QUEST experts out there, I have a question for you. What event does QUEST Corporate put on at least once a year? If you guessed site visits, you are correct! Every year, QUEST Corporate hosts a site visit where they take a field trip to learn firsthand about a company or corporation. For this year’s site visit, QUEST Corporate teamed up with the Smith Undergraduate Student Association (SUSA) to visit Guidehouse, a consulting firm based in McLean, VA. Attendees had a jam-packed schedule filled with gifts, presentations, networking, and even a delicious lunch spread. I had the chance to talk to QUEST Corporate co-lead, Adelina Seck (Cohort 39), and QUESTee and SUSA President, Amari Mehta (Cohort 43), about the visit and their favorite moments from the trip along.
We cannot begin this article without first mentioning the man who made this possible: QUEST alum and Director at Guidehouse, Joel Liebman (Cohort 14). Liebman has been a huge source of support within the QUEST community, actively participating in the QUEST Mentorship Program and attending the QUEST Networking Fair as an employer. With the guidance of Jessica Roffe of our very own Quality Guild and Eva Coll of the Office of Career Services for the Smith School, QUEST Corporate, Liebman, and his colleagues at Guidehouse were able to create and plan a personalized schedule for QUEST students. This was such a great opportunity that the invitation was extended to Smith school students through SUSA as well. Together, QUEST Corporate and SUSA organized transportation and coordinated with Liebman and the Guidehouse team to ensure a smooth and seamless experience for all attendees.
On Friday, February 21st, QUEST students and SUSA members hopped on a bus, excitedly awaiting the chance to see the Guidehouse HQ and network with consulting professionals. When the attendees first arrived, they were greeted with gifts from the Guidehouse team from metal straws to a mini duster. They even received Guidehouse Tide pens! However, the Guidehouse team went above and beyond physical gifts, providing attendees with meaningful insights about the world of consulting. To start, Liebman dived into an engaging presentation about public sector consulting, specifically regarding his experience advising the Department of Homeland Security. He then invited his fellow Guidehouse colleagues from all different backgrounds to the floor to discuss their own unique, personal experiences working in consulting. However, the highlight of the day was a simulated consulting project. Students were broken up into groups of five and partnered with a Guidehouse professional to tackle a TSA-related case study. Their job was to offer recommendations to the TSA to improve their efficiency and work environment. Through this activity, attendees had a first-hand look at how diversity within a team creates space for new perspectives to emerge, ensuring that clients receive the best solution.
For both Adelina Seck and Amari Mehta, this was their favorite part of the whole event. Seck found the activity very engaging as she worked with a Guidehouse associate who had personal experience in consulting the TSA and who provided relevant and useful feedback on Seck’s team’s solutions. Similarly, Mehta’s team was partnered with Joel Liebman who “helped [her] develop a practical understanding of consulting work.” Through this activity, Mehta not only built a more personal connection with Liebman, but also bolstered her repertoire as a future consultant by practicing her problem-solving and collaboration skills with her team of diverse individuals. Mehta specifically mentioned that “it reinforced everything we learn in our QUEST courses and allowed me to apply my classroom knowledge to a real-world case.” At the end of the simulation, QUEST students and SUSA members, including Seck and Mehta, gave a brief presentation of their major case findings. Before they headed back to campus, attendees had the chance to network in a more personal setting with Guidehouse associates, relax, and appreciate the office view–a beautiful conclusion to a fun, yet eye-opening day with the Guidehouse team.
“We hosted QUEST at our Guidehouse offices about two years ago, and when QUEST approached me about rekindling that event and broadening the invite list beyond QUEST in partnership with SUSA, I was thrilled and jumped at the chance,” shared Liebman. “We packed a lot into a half-day workshop, panel, and simulated consulting experience. I thought it would be a lot for the attendees to keep up with (and it was)—but it was me who had to keep up with them! They were energetic and engaged, they asked well-informed and thought-provoking questions, and they came up with creative ideas and solutions to realistic client challenges. The students from the Smith school and the QUEST program never disappoint. I look forward to partnering with QUEST, SUSA, and the Smith school on many things in the years ahead and welcoming many of the attendees as colleagues in the Consulting industry (and at Guidehouse!) soon.”
Our QUESTees had an amazing experience at Guidehouse thanks to the efforts of Joel and his colleagues Sophie Romanik (Senior Consultant), Zach Jacobs (Consultant), Marleigh Wood (Consultant), Jackie Olewack (Director), and Samantha Calvano (Talent Acquisition, UMD Campus Lead).
Thanks to the Guidehouse team, Jess Roffe, Eva Coll, SUSA Vice President of Events Hamid Shabbir, and QUEST Corporate for taking the time to make this incredible event a reality! If you missed out on this opportunity or were unable to attend, be on the lookout for future QUEST Corporate events!